How can the processor process multiple items and release one

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MC Bunji asked Jun 13, '23 Joerg Vogel answered Jun 14, '23

How can the processor process multiple items and release one

Hi Flexsim, Gurus!

I want to simulate part sequencing in an assembling plant. Consider this scenario. In an assembling plant distributing X products, 3 parts (W,Y, and Z) are needed to manufacture the product X. The company receives the 3 parts and they are sent to one processor for assembling and the resulting product from the processor is product X which is the finished product.

THE CHALLENGE

How can I make the processor to receive 3 different items from a queue, process them together and release just one item instead of 3 after the processing time elapses?
Also, is it possible to control which of the three items should be moved to the processor first, which one should follow and which should be the last? Having in mind that processing will begin only after the last item gets to the processor. If yes, I will appreciate guidance on how to go about with that.

Hopping for a clear and concise response.

Thank you.

Software Version:

FlexSim 23.1.2

processors processing time part sequencing

Answer 1 · 2023-06-14T01:36:31Z

Joerg Vogel answered Jun 14, '23

A combiner object does this in join mode. But only first entering item is privileged. 2nd and 3rd are moved into a combiner by FIFO. This means you have to apply their availability in a queue by a logic, that pushes Y before Z into this product providing queue. Or you can try to tell in Send to Port logic that product Y and Z must not be released by a return value of -1. Then when item W is exiting you releaseitem Y through port 2. And when product Y is exiting you releaseitem Z through port 2 or 3. The port number 2 or 3 depends on your setup of input ports for your combiner components list. You need at last 2 input ports

you must only hold items (by return -1), if the order is different then defined.

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